Tune of the Week: RIP Ken Downie

Electronic music label Warp’s Artificial Intelligence series of the early 90s proved to be highly influential. It featured albums by the likes of Aphex Twin, Autechre and Richie Hawtin who all continue to be relevant in the present tense.

Many of the acts featured in series starting compilation went under pseudonyms. None were as elusive as the trio collectively known as Black Dog Productions. Their full length contribution to the series, “Bytes”, featured seven aliases over eleven tracks. One moniker, Plaid, broke off to become their own duo while Ken Downie went on as The Black Dog. Initially, Downie’s productions featured esoteric time signatures and world music leanings. Later, with The Black Dog becoming a trio once more, his music took on a much more ambient bent.

You can read more about Downie’s legacy in this more comprehensive article over at CDM.

Of all the artists featured in the Artificial Intelligence series, Ken Downie is a first of the gang to die. Rest in Power, Black Dog.